All that glitters is not gold and all gold doesn’t glitter!

Traveling the northwest can bring such beauty to the eye of the beholder.   Each season has its own unique picture to paint for the viewer. That picture can change suddenly or linger on for days bringing subtle differences to leaves, flowers, fields, shadows on the backdrops of barns and homesteads.  It never seems to get old or bore you whether you hike it, bike it or travel by car or coach.  Everyone is looking for that flight of an eagle or a blow spewing in the bay from a whale!   As we left Idaho we headed toward Twisp Washington which is along the Cascades. Sometimes you pass by dry, rugged, rocky desolate country but each has its own story to tell and if you don’t stop to absorb sone of the facts I think you miss out.  Even these places have their wonder and amazement!   I always learn or relearn something and everyone needs a bathroom break!!  We spent several days at the campground which was a long a lake.  Lots of families were there and many with tents.  Everyone it seems has a dog and I love animals but when you get so many in a small place there is lots of barking and commotion.  We explored the small towns and shops of both Twisp and Winthrop.  Both were packed with visitors leaving sidewalks crowded and parking spaces full.  We usually take our own lunch and find a nice area to have something to eat while taking in scenery, whether it be people watching or listening to a lazy flowing creek looking for something unusual.  So take in some of the sights we appreciated and felt were noteworthy.  

These are rape fields in their glory !! Also known as rapeseed and used in making canola oil or animal feed. 



Up close…

A stop at Dry Falls which holds so much geological information and unbelievable history.  The whole Missoula Region and valley was once covered in glaciers which then melted, shifted and move with immense force changing the landscape entirely.  It wasn’t till later in the 50’s or so a man realized that all of this area was connected by this sheer force and was able to prove without a doubt what had transpired.  

You can see the drought of the area , the sharp contours of the Ricky ridges and imagine how the water flowed over this area at one time. 


I had to take this to show my granddaughter that a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope!  And then all the other incredible fun facts about butterflies which were new to me!!!  I hope you can share a few of these fun facts with a friend or neighbor. 

Some of the history…at one time it was the largest waterfall in the world!

Here’s our stop for a bathroom break and learning new facts. 



This is for my daughter Tessie who is an owl lover and overall bird lover. The photos are t too good but who knew owls are farsighted, are in every continent but Antartica , have three eyelids, cannot move their eyes and their eye color indicates hunting preference!!!



Big Twin Lake our campground. You can fish, swim or kayak.  Lots of families enjoyed all of that. 



Our grassy spot. Shade for us came later in the day and only 30 amp service. 

A yellow headed blackbird in the reeds 

Market day in Twisp.  Sone music, food, art, and of course fresh vegetables and fruit. 

Don’t know what these are but they look interesting!



Their little free library is in an old phone booth!!  I just loved the idea and it seemed a wonderful way to recycle all the way around!









Hold the earth carefully ….




Majestic.  A hike we took along the edges of the crevices full of awe and wonder…

Just stopping to check everything.  

For real…..




There is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Sone tunnels are longer than others that we must pass through but stay the course and you will revel on the other side.